Cosmetic and dermatological uses of an extract from the fungus Inonotus obliquus

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of an extract of the fungus Inonotus obliquus for maintaining and/or increasing the cohesion of the skin tissues, for preventing the appearance of and/or for reducing shadows and/or bags in the area around the eyes, for maintaining and/or increasing the radiance and/or homogeneity of the skin complexion and/or for maintaining and/or increasing the barrier function of the skin and/or for increasing the skin microcirculation. The invention also relates to the extract of I. obliquus or a dermatological composition comprising same, for its use for reducing ruddiness and/or for preventing and/or reducing pathologies resulting from a reduction in the cohesion of the skin tissues, notably itching and/or couperosis.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A cosmetic method for preventing the appearance of and/or reducing shadows and/or bags in the area around the eyes and/or for maintaining and/or increasing the skin microcirculation of an individual who requires or desires the same, comprising the following steps:
 (a) identifying on the individual an area of healthy skin and/or healthy mucous membranes for which it is desired to prevent the appearance of and/or reduce shadows and/or bags in the area around the eyes and/or to maintain and/or increase the skin microcirculation, and 
 (b) applying to the area of healthy skin and/or healthy mucous membranes a composition comprising  Inonotus obliquus  extract in an effective amount for preventing the appearance of and/or reducing shadows and/or bags in the area around the eyes and/or for maintaining and/or increasing the skin microcirculation of this healthy skin and/or mucous membranes; 
 
       wherein the extract is obtained by extraction into water under subcritical conditions and wherein the composition does not contain phytosterols and does not contain esters. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is for protecting and/or comforting fragile and/or thin skin and/or mucous membranes and/or sensitive mucous membranes. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a cosmetic composition comprising at least one cosmetically acceptable excipient, and the extract in a concentration of between 0.0001% and 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
       4. The cosmetic method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is a topical application. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the area of healthy skin and/or healthy mucous membranes for which it is desired to prevent the appearance of and/or reduce shadows and/or bags in the area around the eyes and/or to maintain and/or increase the skin microcirculation is all or part of a human body selected from at least one of scalp, mucous membrane, leg, hand, thigh, stomach, neckline, neck, arm, torso, back, face, hip, waist, or area around the eyes. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is present in a cosmetic composition comprising at least one cosmetically acceptable excipient and the extract is in a concentration of between 0.001% and 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the area of healthy skin and/or healthy mucous membranes for which it is desired to prevent the appearance of and/or reduce shadows and/or bags in the area around the eyes and/or to maintain and/or increase the skin microcirculation is the neckline and/or the face. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the area of healthy skin and/or healthy mucous membranes for which it is desired to prevent the appearance of and/or reduce shadows and/or bags in the area around the eyes and/or to maintain and/or increase the skin microcirculation is the area around the eyes.